£40,000 Damages for Factory Fall

A man who tripped and suffered a severe knee injury at work has won £40,000 in damages.

The unnamed man suffered the accident while working for a motor manufacturer. He was walking across an area of the factory floor which had been covered with a plastic film to protect it from paint. Over time, the film had become bunched up in places. He tripped over the uneven surface and badly injured his knee.

The injury required hospital treatment and physiotherapy, for which the man had to take time off work. Despite the treatment, however, his condition showed little improvement. It is thought that the injury will continue to get worse, and may ultimately lead to disability. His knee is likely to require surgery in the future and there is a high risk of him developing arthritis in the joint.

He brought a claim against his former employer, arguing that the workplace was unsafe as the plastic film on which he tripped should have been re-laid or replaced. His employers admitted liability and a compensation settlement of £40,000 was agreed. This was based on the pain and suffering caused, loss of earnings, and the likelihood of further lost earnings in the future as the man’s condition deteriorates.